Meghan Markle ‘ignored advice from Camilla on handling bad media headlines before her marriage’

The Duchess of Sussex ignored advice from the Duchess of Cornwall on how to deal with bad headlines in the media, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

In an effort to help the 39-year-old adjust to Royal life, Camilla invited Meghan to a private lunch before her marriage to Prince Harry to describe how she had been treated by the press following the death of Princess Diana and how she had coped with the pressure.

It is understood she advised Meghan to focus on the positives of her new role in the Royal Family and ‘ride out the storm’ of any negative press. Prince Charles offered similar advice to his son Harry.

Yet Meghan later complained that she was not supported by the Windsors, famously telling an ITV documentary: ‘Not many people have asked if I’m OK.’

A friend of Meghan’s said: ‘Meg was really grateful to Camilla who was very supportive and invited her out for private lunches, particularly around the time of her marriage.

‘She listened to her and understood that it’s really difficult joining the Royal Family from an otherwise ‘normal’ life.

‘Much like Meghan, Camilla had experienced a lot of negative press and hostility from courtiers due to her relationship with Charles when he was still married to Diana.

‘She was very sensitive to Meghan and provided her with support, advising her to ride out the storm and that it would all pass – but ultimately Meghan didn’t listen.’

Camilla, 73, was blamed for the breakdown of Charles’s marriage and, after Princess Diana’s death in 1997, received widespread criticism.

Camilla invited Meghan, 39, to a private lunch before her marriage to Prince Harry, speaking of how the press treated her after Princess Diana’s death and how she coped with the pressure

When the Duchess of Cambridge married Prince William in 2013, Camilla took Kate out to lunch to offer similar help and advice.

A palace aide said: ‘The Duchess of Cornwall does understand what it’s like to come from a normal life and then land in the completely extraordinary world that the Royal family exist in. 

‘As a consequence, she tries very hard to make people welcome and help them find their feet, and has done so for many years.

‘Her consciously offering to mentor and guide is something that she really does try and do. That applies to many people, not just the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex.’

Meghan also reportedly felt let down by her sister-in-law, although sources say that Kate offered Meghan help from her own staff and told her: ‘Feel free to call me, I’m here for you.’

Insiders claim that several meetings were held to ensure Meghan had sufficient resources for the issues that she wanted to promote, such as female empowerment.

The Cambridges also invited her to the Hurlingham private members’ club in Fulham before her wedding to discuss her role in the Royal Foundation, the charitable vehicle used for their philanthropic work.

Harry and Meghan left the Royal Foundation last summer to establish their own not-for-profit organisation. 

It was initially to be called Sussex Royal but has since been changed to Archewell.